Snow In Seoul & Korea | Does It Snow? | Things To Do In Snow Season (2023)

FAQs

Does Seoul have snow? ›

Spring (although windy) and autumn are mild but are short in duration. These seasons are considered the best time to visit Seoul. Siberian winds bring frosty weather with sporadic snowfall in the city, which takes the average temperature down from 0 to -10 degrees Celsius.

When Does It Snow In Korea? The first snowfall in Korea is usually in November, but can be as early as October. The most common months to see snow in Korea are January and February, which have the highest levels of snowfall in Korea.

The vast majority of south Korea's ski areas are located in the north of the country in Gangwon-do province, the area that receives the most annual snowfall. Some of these are located less than an hour from Seoul.

The snow is perhaps the best reason to visit Korea in winter since that means not only getting a chance to indulge in exciting activities such as skiing and sledding but also getting to savor special winter street food like sweet potato and chestnuts, which is not available at other times of the year!

layering is key when it comes to dressing for Korea in winter. You'll want to start with a base layer of thermal underwear or a long-sleeved shirt and pants. From there, you can add on a sweater, a jacket, and a coat. If you really want to stay warm, you can also add a scarf, a hat, and gloves.

The average cost of living in South Korea is reasonable. It is not as cheap as living in some Asian countries like Laos or China, but it is also not as expensive as Japan or Singapore. In general, the most expensive living costs in the country will be found in the capital, Seoul.

The best time to visit South Korea is between March and May if you want to see the vibrant pink of the cherry blossoms in bloom. If you want to see the landscapes come alive as the leaves change in the cooler weathers, then we'd recommend visiting between September and November.

What part of Korea gets the most snow? The answer is Ulleung Island, which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of the Korean Peninsula. In big cities like Seoul, it only takes 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) of snow to slow everything down, from people to traffic.

Winter, from late November to mid-March, is freezing in the north and in the interior, while it's milder, but still with night frosts, along the southern coast. The sun often shines. Snowfalls are relatively rare and not abundant. A cold and dry wind often blows from the continent, at times full of dust.

The cold season lasts for 3.0 months, from December 1 to February 28, with an average daily high temperature below 44°F. The coldest month of the year in Seoul is January, with an average low of 22°F and high of 34°F.

How cold does it get in Seoul? ›

In December, the weather in Seoul is usually very cold. The average temperature is of 0.0 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -4.1 °C (24.5 °F) and a maximum of 4 °C (39.3 °F). On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11 °C (11.5 °F).

Seoul gets its first snow of the year in late November but it melts away almost immediately. You'll get real snow from December through early March but Seoul does not get that much snow considering its freezing weather.

Planning 7 days in Seoul is the ideal amount of time – you can travel slower, enjoy the hiking trails at your own pace and explore several parks and cafe's – and you won't feel guilty if you decide to take it easy after too many bottles of Soju the night before!

The best time of year to visit South Korea is generally considered to be the spring months of April, May & June, and the autumn months of September, October & November. During these two seasons days are typically sunny and dry with comfortable average temperatures.

Pack for the weather

The weather in spring (March, April and May), and Fall (September, October and November) is cooler, so long-sleeved shirts, pants and a sweater or jacket will work well.

While short-shorts and skirts are commonplace for women in Korea's major cities, exposed shoulders and low-cut tops are still considered taboo most places.

For those on a mid range budget, 120 000 krw should be enough and for those on a luxury budget, a minimum of 200 000 krw should be ok. It is recommended to bring at least around 200$ in cash. You can use this in places that don't accept cash or in emergencies.

Even though there's no such thing as the perfect itinerary for Korea, the country is small enough that two weeks is enough time to adjust to the culture change and still have time to enjoy most everything. But if you only have 10 days in Korea (or even fewer), then I highly suggest you start in Seoul.

What is the cheapest time of year to fly to South Korea? ›

High season is considered to be June and July. The cheapest month to fly to South Korea is November. Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest South Korea flight deals.

3 days ( 72 hours in Seoul) is a good amount of time to visit the highlights of the city. 4 to 7 days will give you the time to go hiking, to visit more of the beaten path attractions or to take a few day trips from Seoul.

February's weather in detail

Wherever you are in South Korea, you can expect freezing temperatures and frequent snowfall: good news if you're planning to visit the ski resorts of Yongpyong and Alpensia in the heart of Gangwon-do province.

Although this city is quite warmer than other parts of the country, in the winter season, the temperature can drop up to -10 degrees. Does it snow in Busan in winter? No, snow in Busan is rare because it is located in the least snowy region of Korea. However, one can witness light snow if lucky.

Weather In South Korea In December

As winter arrives, the skies turn cloudy that is amazing to watch. The average temperature is around -3.3°C (26.1°F) to 4.4°C (39.9°F) range during this month. Cold is extremely severe and the temperature may fluctuate and drop down.

During winter, Tokyo remains a lot warmer than Seoul despite having a similar latitude. This is because South Korea experiences a cool effect by being attached to the Asian continent while Japan doesn't as it's an island.

Canada has an average minimum temperature of -2°C/28°F and North Korea has an average minimum temperature of 4°C/39°F. Canada's coldest month is January, with an average minimum temperature of -15°C/5°F, which is colder than North Korea's coldest month (also January, with an average minimum temperature of -13°C/9°F).

The south of the country has way less snow than the north, but still gets a bit of snow. There is around 5 days of snow in Busan and Jeju island gets around 3. The more you go south the shorter the snow months get in Korea. Check the things to do in Busan in winter here.

South Korea is safe for solo travellers, absolutely.

Plus it's the challenge of doing something epic and all the rewards that come with it. But still, there are always some things you should know. Don't be afraid to wander as most areas are pretty secure. Walking around the cities, especially Seoul, is easy.

What is Seoul like in the winter? ›

During the winter months, the weather in Seoul is extremely cold, windy and dry. Temperatures can drop as low as -15°C during the coldest days, but you still can enjoy a number of recreational opportunities during your stay in Seoul.

The Korean won (KRW) is the national currency of South Korea. Its users denote the won by using the symbol "₩," as in "₩1,000." Since 1950, it has been administered by the nation's central bank, the Bank of Korea.

During recent decades, extremely cold winters and notable cold surge events in South Korea have been attributed to warm Arctic and cold Eurasia phenomena, which is referred to as WACE (Honda et al 2009, Jeong et al 2011, Kug et al 2015).

Seoul is going to experience quite a number of days of snow during December. It's the perfect time to build snowmen, drink hot cocoa, and have a snowball fight. Just remember to wear a warm scarf and a pair of mittens! Our weather forecast can give you a great sense of what weather to expect in Seoul in December 2022.

December's weather in detail

Towards the end of the month snow can be expected, particularly in the northern provinces of Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do, home to the popular ski resorts of Pyeongchang.

You should plan to spend around ₩118,323 ($83) per day on your vacation in South Korea, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, ₩30,541 ($21) on meals for one day and ₩17,227 ($12) on local transportation.

The average price of a 7-day trip to Seoul is $1,705 for a solo traveler, $3,062 for a couple, and $5,741 for a family of 4. Seoul hotels range from $47 to $201 per night with an average of $58, while most vacation rentals will cost $130 to $340 per night for the entire home.

Cities like Seoul and Busan have passes that operate on subways or trains. Subway systems are the most efficient and easiest way to get around the large cities. Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon each have their own systems. Taxis in South Korea are safe, clean, and relatively inexpensive.

See the Cherry Blossoms

The best time to see cherry blossoms in South Korea is during the spring months from the end of March to mid-April.

How many days in Korea is enough? As a general rule, I like spending between 10 days and two weeks in South Korea. This allows you a few days each in Seoul and Busan, which you can use as bookends for destinations such as Seoraksan, Geongju and Jeju, which you can visit in-between Korea's large cities.

What do Koreans wear in March? ›

Cardigans or jean jackets are necessary during spring in Korea. The necessary clothing items include long sleeves, blazers, jackets/cardigans and light sweaters. If you are curious about what Koreans wear in March and April, take a look at some of the photos below!

For travel after September 1, 2021, you must have a valid U.S. passport and a visa or an approved Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) to enter Korea. Most U.S. passport holders traveling to Korea for tourism or business purposes for less than 90 days can obtain a K-ETA.

Hanbok is the traditional attire of the Korean people. Nowadays, it is only worn on special occasions or anniversaries. It is a formal wear and many Koreans keep a hanbok for such occasions. While the traditional hanbok was beautiful in its own right, the design has changed slowly but surely over the generations.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has banned skinny jeans, mullets and certain body piercings as symbols of a “capitalistic lifestyle”, according to reports.

During winter, Tokyo remains a lot warmer than Seoul despite having a similar latitude. This is because South Korea experiences a cool effect by being attached to the Asian continent while Japan doesn't as it's an island.

The south of the country has way less snow than the north, but still gets a bit of snow. There is around 5 days of snow in Busan and Jeju island gets around 3. The more you go south the shorter the snow months get in Korea. Check the things to do in Busan in winter here.

In December, the weather in Seoul is usually very cold. The average temperature is of 0.0 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -4.1 °C (24.5 °F) and a maximum of 4 °C (39.3 °F). On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11 °C (11.5 °F).

A week in South Korea can cost you about $582 (per person), while a week in Japan may cost you around $741. These differences become even more noticable if you plan to spend a longer time in the country. 10 days, two weeks, or even one month of travel to South Korea or Japan can really add to your travel budget.

The best time of year to visit South Korea is generally considered to be the spring months of April, May & June, and the autumn months of September, October & November. During these two seasons days are typically sunny and dry with comfortable average temperatures.

Should I go to Tokyo or Seoul? ›

If you'd ask travellers who have been to both, some would say Seoul is better for first-time visitors. It's generally cheaper, after all, especially if you'll be travelling solo or with friends.

There are, on average, 25 days with snowfall per year (maybe light) in Seoul (as mentioned, located in the northwest), 22 days in Incheon (near Seoul but on the coast), 27 in Mokpo (on the south-west coast, which is a milder but also more humid area), 12 in Daegu (in the south-eastern inland areas), and only 5 in Busan ...

Snow in Seoul

It rarely snows in Seoul despite temperatures hitting subzero digits most of the time, mainly due to the dry north-westerly winds. Seoul experiences average precipitation of 0.88 inches (22.35 millimeters) in winter.

Weather In South Korea In December

As winter arrives, the skies turn cloudy that is amazing to watch. The average temperature is around -3.3°C (26.1°F) to 4.4°C (39.9°F) range during this month. Cold is extremely severe and the temperature may fluctuate and drop down.

3 days ( 72 hours in Seoul) is a good amount of time to visit the highlights of the city. 4 to 7 days will give you the time to go hiking, to visit more of the beaten path attractions or to take a few day trips from Seoul.

It's hot in summer, so our advice is to pack lightweight, loose-fitting clothes in natural fabrics such as linen, silk and cotton that will keep you cool and are easy to wash and dry.

During the winter months, the weather in Seoul is extremely cold, windy and dry. Temperatures can drop as low as -15°C during the coldest days, but you still can enjoy a number of recreational opportunities during your stay in Seoul.

Seoul is going to experience quite a number of days of snow during December. It's the perfect time to build snowmen, drink hot cocoa, and have a snowball fight. Just remember to wear a warm scarf and a pair of mittens! Our weather forecast can give you a great sense of what weather to expect in Seoul in December 2022.

Winters in South Korea are bitterly cold, so we wouldn't recommend visiting in December, January or February. It's important to take local holidays into account when planning your trip. The Korean New Year is the first day of the lunar month, and Chuseok is the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.

You'll get real snow from December through early March but Seoul does not get that much snow considering its freezing weather. (Seoul is very dry-cold in the winter!) If you visit Seoul in January and stay for two weeks, you'll definitely see a snowfall at least once but not likely in November.